Are you looking to change that ordinary cardboard box into a magical light-up creation? There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning everyday materials into stunning decorative pieces to make your home stand out.

I’ve spent some time putting these ideas together about cardboard crafts with lights, and these projects never fail to bring joy to both kids and adults alike.

Cardboard Crafts with Lights

1. Floating Cloud Lamp

Construct a cloud-shaped lamp that appears to levitate in the air. Shape layers of cardboard into a cumulus cloud formation.

Install warm LED lights inside to create a soft, diffused glow, this piece provides gentle ambient lighting perfect for relaxation spaces.

2. Observatory Dome

Create a working observatory dome with constellation viewer. Firstly, build a rotating dome with cutout star patterns.

Then add LED lights inside that shine through the patterns as the dome turns, this educational piece helps identify different star configurations.

3. Day and Night Tree

Craft a tree that changes appearance when lit. So, create an intricate tree silhouette with two sets of cutout designs.

One pattern shows during daylight, while hidden details emerge when the internal lights activate. This piece offers two distinct looks in one creation.

4. Illuminated Bookend

Make a functional bookends that double as accent lights. Create architectural scenes that hold books upright while housing LED lights.

The lights can shine through windows or other cutout details, these practical pieces add both organization and ambiance to your bookshelf.

5. Floating Sky Islands

Make one or more suspended islands with twinkling lights. Shape irregular cardboard pieces into floating landmasses with waterfalls and vegetation.

Then install white LED strings to create stars around the islands and blue lights for falling water effects. The completed piece creates a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere.

6. Desert Night Oasis

Craft a peaceful desert scene with a illuminated oasis pool. Layer cardboard to create palm trees, sand dunes, and a central pool area.

Try using blue LED lights for the water and warm lights for the surrounding scene, this piece helps captures the magic of a desert night.

7. Butterfly Garden

Craft a delicate display of illuminated butterflies in flight. Create detailed butterfly cutouts with intricate wing patterns.

Then, mount them at different heights with LED lights positioned to cast butterfly shadows. This ethereal piece brings movement and life to any wall space.

8. Neon Sign Replica

Design a vintage-style neon sign using cardboard and LED strip lights. Cut out letter forms and design elements, then back them with colored LED strips.

The finished piece recreates that classic neon look without the expense or complexity of real neon, which is perfect for adding retro charm to any room.

Related: 16 Stunning Cardboard Crafts with Flowers!

9. Light-Up Rain Cloud

Create a whimsical cloud mobile with illuminated raindrops. Shape a fluffy cloud from layered cardboard pieces, then hang varying lengths of LED string lights as rain.

The dangling lights create a gentle cascade effect, while fiber optic strands add extra sparkle to the falling rain. This piece works beautifully in children’s rooms or reading nooks.

10. Enchanted Tree

Build a tree light using cardboard tubes and cutouts, by creating branches extending from a central trunk, with detailed leaves and possibly flowers cut into the design.

Weave LED string lights through the branches, the final piece casts magical forest-inspired shadows.

11. Garden Lantern

Make a decorative outdoor-style lantern using weatherproofed cardboard. Cut intricate flower and leaf patterns into each side.

Line the interior with weather-resistant material and install battery-operated LED candles, this piece creates beautiful nature-inspired light patterns.

12. Modernist Table Lamp

Design a sculptural table lamp with clean, geometric lines. Create an angular shade using precisely cut cardboard pieces.

And build a stable base that conceals the LED light fixture, the finished piece resembles high-end designer lighting while costing just a fraction to make.

13. Constellation Globe

Form a spherical light fixture using interconnected cardboard strips. Cut star patterns and constellations into the strips before assembly.

Then mount LED lights inside the sphere, allowing the light to shine through the cutouts. This piece creates a magical celestial display when lighted up.

14. Carnival Light Wheel

Try to create a rotating carnival wheel inspired by Ferris wheels using cardboard circles and strips. Build the structure with a central axis and then support beams, adding small cardboard compartments around the edge.

Install battery-operated LED lights along the wheel’s frame and inside each compartment. The finished piece can actually rotate, creating a mesmerizing light display.

15. Abstract Light Art

Design contemporary wall art with an illuminated twist. Cut abstract patterns into cardboard, and layer colored tissue paper behind different sections.

Add LED lights to create varying light intensities, this modern piece adds both color and light to contemporary spaces.

16. Light-Up Photo Frame

Build a stylish photo display that has lights. Create a deep cardboard frame, then add LED string lights around the photo area.

The soft illumination highlights your favorite memories. This project makes photos stand out while adding ambient lighting to your space.

Related: 16 Genius Cardboard Crafts for Storage!

Conclusion

These cardboard light crafts prove that you too can be creative with simple materials, each project brings its own unique charm and functionality to your space.

Just remember to always use battery-operated or LED lights that don’t generate heat to ensure your cardboard creations remain safe, whether you’re crafting for decoration, function, or just pure enjoyment, these projects are perfect for everyone.

Give them a try, watch your space change, and make sure to share this with your friends or save the first image on Pinterest.